Ophthalmic Technician with a special interest in Vision Screening

The role of the Assistant Practitioner is to deliver a high quality, caring and compassionate patient care. The post holder will be undertake assessment, implementation and evaluation of patient care needs for a defined group of patients under the indirect supervision of a registered professional in their specialist area. The post holders are required to work as part of a team committed to delivering and improving a high standard of ophthalmic care within South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust.

To undertake a vision test on Reception class children attending schools in the commissioned area and to assist the Orthoptic Department in the diagnosis of vision defects.

To record the outcome of the vision screening and to share this information with Child Health

Complete a referral form for those children failing to meet the required standard in line with departmental policy

Answer basic queries from parents of children tested in school

Prepare the school list and liaise with the school regarding suitable times to visit

To perform such duties as will aid the smooth running of the orthoptic department.

To plan and prioritise own workload to meet service demands

To ensure Trust standards and values are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care to all who come into contact with the services provided by South Warwickshire Foundation Trust

Ensure records and documentation are maintained, kept confidential, and meets appropriate Trust standards, and in line with the Data Protection Act

Demonstrates a positive and enthusiastic approach to their work in order to maintain high morale and motivation within the department. Promoting a professional and positive working environment

To report any accidents or incidents via the DATIX incident reporting system and/or to an appropriate registered professional, ensuring an open and transparent culture.

To adhere to the Trusts dress code policy, maintaining a smart appearance at all times.

To adhere to the Trusts IT policies regarding e-mail and internet usage.

To ensure children and adults are protected from abuse and avoidable harm and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.

Take responsibility for care and welfare of an defined caseload of patients/clients within your area of work

To undertake a vision test on Reception class children attending schools in the commissioned area and to assist the Orthoptic Department in the diagnosis of vision defects.

To undertake a range of investigative procedures using equipment requiring highly developed levels of dexterity and hand eye coordination and use of fine motor skills.

To analyse test results for urgency of follow up required and to decide if alternative methods of investigation are necessary or if abandonment of procedures is appropriate.

To investigate and assess paediatric cases requiring enhanced communication skills to ensure understanding and compliance with testing.

To assess and investigate patients with behavioural and learning difficulties ensuring the most appropriate methods of assessment are utilized.

To assess and investigate patients with reduced cognitive function ensuring compliance with the most appropriate investigative method. To recognize when formal assessment is not possible and to undertake objective assessment.

To undertake investigative procedures in reduced lighting environments, requiring long periods of concentration.

To use appropriate handling and moving techniques, as recommended by Trust policy, to ensure patients with restricted mobility and/or wheelchair users can access the equipment for investigation.

To instil eye drops as per departmental protocols, for investigations to be undertaken e.g. Use of dilating drops for medical photography, use of anaesthetic drops for ultrasound of the eye.

Continuously assess, implement and evaluate treatment, using appropriate programmes / methods of care agreed by a registered professional.

To report to the registered professional any patient who gives cause for concern

Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further. In addition our staff survey results have placed us 4th in the country for recommended place to work.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are 'Trusted to provide safe, inclusive, effective and compassionate care'. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn't matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.

As part of our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion we encourage all applicants to complete a short survey. This can be accessed via the link below:

https: //forms.office.com/e/ahWY3eAGM2

We appreciate you completing the survey.

Qualifications

Desirable: - Care Certificate

Experience

Essential: - Substantial experience as Ophthalmic Technician (to diploma level)

Desirable: - Previous administration experience

Skills

Personal Qualities

Other Job Requirements

Essential: - Flexible; - Aware of current NHS issues and priorities; - Car Driver/Independent means of transport